New & Used 2026 Hyundai Kona for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

Is the 2026 Hyundai Kona a good car?

Generally — you’re looking at a 4/5 user-rated small crossover with an expert rating of 7.83/10. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

The 2026 Kona stands out because it is one of the biggest small crossovers in size, passenger room, and cargo volume, and it pairs that practicality with available turbocharging and all-wheel drive. It also brings impressive technology for the segment, while Hyundai simplified the lineup to four trim levels with mostly cosmetic differences and added more standard safety features this year.

The trade-offs are straightforward: the polarizing design will not suit everyone, and the base powertrain is not the strongest choice if you care about acceleration. You also give up a hybrid option, and some controls can be hard to read.

With 35.8% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Kona reliable?

Owners rate it 4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2026 Kona leans on a strong warranty package, with 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, and five years of roadside assistance. It also benefits from a practical, well-equipped design and standard safety tech that should help reduce everyday ownership stress.

Its performance notes are mixed: the turbocharged setup is more satisfying than the base engine, and the available all-wheel-drive configuration improves ride quality thanks to a more sophisticated rear suspension. Hyundai also includes complimentary Bluelink+ connected services for the original owner, which adds convenience.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the base setup and some cabin controls may leave you less satisfied if you want a more polished driving experience.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Hyundai Kona?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with larger wheels and AWD. Focus on cabin condition, brake feel, and whether the controls are easy for you to live with day to day.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup is simplified to SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, and Limited, with the biggest differences showing up in wheel size, styling details, and cabin presentation. The base trims are the ones most likely to leave you wanting more if you care about stronger acceleration and richer equipment.
• Powertrain: The SE and SEL Sport use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, while the SEL Premium and Limited get a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 190 hp and 195 lb-ft. The turbo also pairs with a more satisfying eight-speed automatic, while the base engine uses a CVT.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, rear occupant warning, safe exit warning, and automatic high beams. The suite is unusually complete for the class.
• Infotainment: Every Kona gets a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluelink+ connected services. The Limited adds two 12.3-inch screens side by side, and wireless smartphone charging is standard on most Konas.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine returns 27 to 31 mpg in combined driving, depending on trim and AWD, while the turbocharged versions range from 26 to 28 mpg combined.

Which 2026 Hyundai Kona trim should I buy?

The 2026 Hyundai Kona is offered in 4 trim levels: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, and Limited.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point, but it is also the trim most likely to feel basic if you want stronger acceleration or a richer cabin. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Kona’s space and standard safety tech.
• SEL Sport: This trim adds a little more style without changing the core formula much. It is a reasonable middle step if you want a nicer look than the SE but do not need the turbo engine.
• SEL Premium: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it brings the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and the more satisfying eight-speed automatic. If you want the Kona to feel quicker and more polished, this is the trim to target.
• Limited: This is the most upscale version, with the most advanced presentation and the strongest tech story, including the dual 12.3-inch screens. It suits you best if you want the most feature-rich Kona and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is especially strong across the lineup, so you do not need to move to the top trim just to get a robust driver-assistance suite.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Hyundai Kona?

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile options.

• Deal availability: 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,117 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.3% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Kona safe?

The 2026 Kona earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA. The imperfect score is due to four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in a frontal-impact collision.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard driver-assistance list is unusually comprehensive for this class. You get adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, rear occupant warning, safe exit warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Higher trims can add a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Highway Driving Assist. The main caveat is that the NHTSA result is not perfect because of the frontal-impact ratings.

Should I buy a 2026 Hyundai Kona or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• Hyundai simplified the lineup to four trims and added more standard safety features.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It is mostly unchanged, so you can get the same practical space and standard safety focus.

The bottom line: If you want the freshest version of the Kona with the strongest safety and tech story, the 2026 is the better target. If price matters most, the 2025 can make sense because it delivers much of the same everyday usefulness without requiring you to pay for the newest model year.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.